I picked up a 72g bowfront and am now finally getting everything ready to set it up and get it going, but i have a few questions. I am going to be aquascaping it with some driftwood to add in it.

Here are my qusetions:

1. I plan on having a grass plant on the tank bottom. Like this tank here:

Now i know on my old aquarium when i would do a water change i would syphon the gravel and such but when i have a grass type plant how do i go about doing that since i wont be able to get down to the gravel and trying would probably reck the plant?

2. How many of you use a UV seteralizer? I have been told it makes the water more clear and kills micro organizmes and bateria in the tank. What are your thoughts on this? also what is a good one to gowith for my 72g. Im using a ehiem filter so i would probably want to go with a inline one.

3. Since i am using a canister filter i thought about a inline heater also so i could get rid the intank one i currently have. How efficient are these? Would a 300watt be sufficient or would i still need a in tank to? This is the one i was looking at: ETH 300 In-Line Heater 300W f/16mm-5/8"Hose

4. As far as ehiem filter media goes do i really need anything? My first plan was to just use the sponges and then just a bunch of aquarium flawss. Is that ok? i see these bio balls, carbon, etc that you can get but am woundering if there are really needed.

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Larry LaPrise, the man that wrote "The Hokey Pokey" died peacefully at the age of 93. The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin. They put his left leg in. And then the trouble started.

start finding out what plants you use and get ready to drop atleast 200-300 on lighting and another 400-500 for a professional c02 system. dont forget all the chems for ferts either~~~

Using a GLO 2x54 t5 set-up and plan do do a DIY CO2 after i get everyhting up and running for awhile. Using seachems flourish and AquariumPlants.com's own: Freshwater Planted Aquarium Substrate. Not planning on being to high-tech. Just want to get the hang of things first and get the basics down.

Using a GLO 2x54 t5 set-up and plan do do a DIY CO2 after i get everyhting up and running for awhile. Using seachems flourish and AquariumPlants.com's own: Freshwater Planted Aquarium Substrate. Not planning on being to high-tech. Just want to get the hang of things first and get the basics down.

Your going to struggle with that much light without pressurized CO2, DIY simply isn't up to the job on tanks bigger than 10 gallons.

If i were you I would use dry powders, they're much cheaper and they contain phosphate, whereas flourish doesn't. Also the nitrogen comes from ammonium nitrate, ammonium will cause algae given the chance.

If your just getting the hang of things, a single 54 watt T5 fixture, will be fine for low light plants.

These are pictures of my tank, 75 gallon planted, has been setup for 2 years, I have always used a DO IT YOURSELF system with CO2 REACTOR. As you can see, my plants are lush and beautiful. I use 1 bottle, an I change it out every 2 weeks. A CO2 system does not have to cost a ton of money to be effective....even so, you can go to the expensive system at a later date. You can find the CO2 REACTOR @ DRSFOSTERSMITH.com 36$....look in the center of the pictures you can see the reator.....this tank produces a lot of plants, I give away an sell to local shops all the time......to start out, spend the money on a great lighting system.....good luck...

This a picture on my tank, 75 gallon planted, has been setup for 2 years, I have always used a DO IT YOURSELF system with CO2 REACTOR. As you can see, my plants are lush and beautiful. I use 1 bottle, an I change it out every 2 weeks. A CO2 system does not have to cost a ton of monet to be effective....even so, you can go to the expensive system at a later date. You can find the CO2 REACTOR @ DRSFOSTERSMITH.com 36$....look in the center of the pictures you can see the reator......good luck...